We have this thing in which we go to great lengths to avoid anything that might be unpleasant. I’m not saying death is pleasant, per se, but we are all going to die eventually. I truly believe that not only is it possible to die in a meaningful way, because I’ve witnessed that very thing happening, but also that, like most things, talking about it can make it significantly less weird.
Which is all preamble to say: today, write about your final wishes. Use it as a writing exercise, but when you’ve finished, perhaps consider printing it out as a gift for whichever of your family members will have to close out your earthly life when the time comes, which will hopefully be a very long time from now. (Step one: assign a trusted friend to torch your journals if that’s an issue. High-five to my friend, Sara, who was already given this role when I went skydiving in 2017ish.)
Because I don’t know about you, but when I imagine my family squabbling over what they think I might want as final arrangements, or worse, taking liberties on my behalf, it’s a pretty cringey thought. So take even five minutes right now and write about your last wishes. If you get on a roll, divvy up random possessions in the letter, write your obituary, whatever.